Recently I have seen a number of newspaper articles discussing the increase of depression in the middle class.  There has also been an increase in the use of drugs in a number of new areas across the country.  What’s happening?

This topic may surprise some readers of this blog.  Most of you know me as:  Irene Pollin, wife of Abe Pollin and sports team co-owner with Abe.  But another part of my life has been spent as a psychotherapist, social worker for forty two years!

Today I’d like to give my diagnosis of the problem.  Of course, part of it is economic; we are in the beginning of a major economic transition.

But, since I am not an economist (my son Robert is),  I will offer my take on one source of the problem.

I believe part of the depression is due to “life” as it is today, and current expectations.  Until we lower our expectations recognizing the reality of life today, many of us will be depressed.  When the reality hits that our expectations are not going to be realized, then we will be disappointed.

Fortunately, we have it in our power to control it.  If we can begin to make the adjustment of our goals, we can be more content.

Let’s use me as an example:  I am a perfectionist!  I have always set very high goals and I have worked hard to achieve most of them.  I am also, I discovered, a perfectionist in a hurry.

And, that is not a good combination.  Speed + perfectionism don’t go well together.

But I have also learned that if I adjust my goals, I don’t get disappointed, or depressed.

It works!

Question: Is it normal to look at a picture of someone in a newspaper or on-line, discover a few facts about them, and form an idea of what that person is really like?

I think all of us do that to some degree, really without thinking much about it.

But, when you are a writer and have access to media and then write your improvised thoughts as though they are factual, then you are being dishonest; presenting ideas to the public which appear correct, but, in fact, are just the writer’s aberration.

What I am saying is based on fact and personal experience.

I just discovered an on-line article in something called, “Next Impulse Sports.”  Among other things, the article states stating that the NBA lottery is “clearly rigged.”

I don’t know if it is or isn’t but I am mentioned in the article because in 2009, when I was representing the Wizards, I was declared the winner.

Well, I am not here to argue about lottery rigging, but what’s funny is the author’s assessing my reason for being there:  “We can’t confirm whether or not she knew what she was attending.”

After spending forty-six years in the NBA, as an owner, how stupid does this writer think I am?   In fact, some years earlier, I also attended the NBA Lottery and witnessed the behind the scenes drawing of the lottery numbers.

Attempting to learn about Next Impulse Sports, I researched and, according to their LinkedIn page, it is supposed to be a site to visit when someone wants to “waste time at work.”

Did I just waste mine?